By: Associated Press//April 6, 2014//
RACINE, Wis. (AP) — Racine County district attorney Rich Chiapete acknowledges that he drove while intoxicated this week and fled the scene of a single-vehicle crash.
In an email to The Journal Times of Racine on Saturday, Chiapete said he received municipal citations for OWI and hit-and-run. Racine Police Chief Art Howell confirms that Chiapete was cited after striking a tree and traffic signal Friday about 10 p.m.
Chiapete says he was involved in a single-car accident while returning home from a birthday party where he’d had a few drinks. He says he initially panicked and left the scene.
He says he’s “ashamed and embarrassed” and takes full responsibility for his “extremely poor judgment.” He says this shouldn’t have happened. He adds that he’ll work hard to restore his community’s faith in him.
Information from: The Journal Times, http://www.journaltimes.com